Pistol, gun, or the like for firing and projecting rockets or projectiles for use in throwing lines



I July 16. 1 A J. SCHERMULY El AL 2,208,475

PISTOL, GUN, OR THE LIKE FOR FIRING AND PROJECTING ROCKETS 0R PROJECTILES FOR USE IN THROWING LINES Filed Nov. 26, 1938 INVENI'OB5 ALFRED JAMES SCHE'RHULY CONRAD DAVID SCHERMULY @9170 CHARLES SCHERHULY by f/zezr d/fazweys Patented July 16, 1940 PISTOL, GUN, OR THE LIKE FOR FIRING AND PRO'JECTING ROCKETS OR PROJEC- TILES FOR USE IN THROWDJG LINES Alfred James Schermuly, Conrad David Schermuly, and Charles Schermuly, Newdigate,

England, assignors to The Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Limited, Newdigate, England, a British company Application November 26, 1938, Serial 242,610 In Great Britain September 3, 1937 3 Claims.

This invention relates to rocket pistols or the like (hereinafter referred to as pistols) for firing rockets more especially intended for carrying lines for life-saving and other purposes to or from ships and other places. The pistols may be of the kind described and illustrated in the specifications of British Patents Nos. 179,997 and 327,- 894, wherein the barrel of the pistol is of such length that it will contain not only the firing means such as a blank cartridge, but will also carry the rocket,'the rear or choke end of said rocket being inserted into the said barrel forward of said firing means. Upon the firing of the pistol, the flame arising from the ignition charge in the blank cartridge ignites the charge in the rear or choke end of the rocket and gases arising therefrom simultaneously act to propel the rocket from the barrel of the pistol so that it will take a true line of flight if the pistol be properly directed and steadily held by the manipulator. Hitherto it has been usual to insert the rocket in the barrel of the piston so that the stick or other means provided on the rocket for the attachment of the life-saving line is above or on the side of the said barrel, thereby leaving the said barrel free to be held on its underside, either directly or indirectly by means of an additional handle thereon, by one hand of the manipulator while holding the breech-piece or handle proper of the pistol with his other hand. It has been found, however, that when the underside of the barrel of the pistol is held as aforesaid there is liability of the life-saving line, or the attachment by which it is connected to the rocket, fouling the hand of the manipulator or the additional handle on the said barrel as the said rocket leaves the barrel and consequently the rocket is often deflected from the true course of flight intended.

This invention has for its object to provide the pistol with improved means for holding the barrel thereof whereby the aforesaid disadvantages are overcome.

According to this invention an additional handle is provided on the top of the barrel of the pistol instead of beneath it as hitherto. The additional handle so provided may be fitted with a spirit level or other means of adjusting and observing the elevation of the pistol barrel. This handle permits the rocket to be inserted in the barrel of the pistol in such manner that the stick, or other means provided on the rocket for the attachment thereto of the live-saving line, is either beneath the said barrel, or in such position that there is no liability of the said line or the attachment fouling the said handle or the hand of the manipulator holding it.

The invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pistol according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the barrel of the pistol.

Referring to the drawing, the pistol comprises the usual handle I, trigger 2, hammer 3 and breech 4 for the insertion of a cartridge. The barrel 5 comprises a tubular member arranged for the reception of the rocket (not shown).

Suitably secured to the top surface of the barrel 1 5, by welding or the like is a handle comprising a gripping member 1 supported by two metal members 8 and 9. In a preferable construction the supporting member 9 has arranged therein a spirit level It so that the pistol, when supported by means of the two handles, can be moved into such position that the spirit level is horizontal thus indicating the correct elevation for the barrel of the pistol for firing.

What we claim is:

l. A rocket pistol for firing line carrying rockets, said pistol comprising a handle and a barrel, in combination with an additional handle on top of said barrel comprising a gripping portion and two supporting members secured to said barrel, and a spirit level carried by one of said supporting members.

2. A rocket pistol for firing line carrying rockets, said pistol comprising a handle and a barrel, in combination with an additional handle on top of said barrel whereby said additional handle is free of the line depending from the rocket, said additional handle comprising a gripping portion and two supporting members secured to said barrel, and a spirit level carried by one of said supporting members at a fixed angle to said barrel, whereby said pistol when supported by said two handles in position with the spirit level horizontal, will hold said barrel in the correct elevation for firing.

3. A rocket pistol for firing line carrying rockets, said pistol comprising a barrel and a handle at the rear thereof in combination with a front handle on top of said barrel free of the line depending from the rocket, said additional handle comprising a gripping portion and two supporting members of different lengths secured to said barrel in tandem.

ALFRED JAMES SCI-IERMULY. CONRAD DAVID SCHERMULY CHARLES SCHERMULY.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. 1 Patent No. 2,208,1p75. July 16, 191w.

ALFRED JAMES SCHERMULY, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 21, for the word "piston" read -pistol-; and that the .said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of December, A. D. 1914.0.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,2o ',L 7

July 16, 19LL0. ALFRED JAMES SCHERM'ULY, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 21, for the word "piston" read pistol-; and that the .said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of December, A. D. 191m.

. I Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents 

